Journal · Sports

The Foncine-le-Haut nordic area: trails, starting points, snowshoes and hire

By Robin — your host · sources at the end · 12 July 2026 · updated 10 October 2026 · 2 min read · Our method

The Foncine-le-Haut nordic area has 110 km of cross-country trails and 17 snowshoe routes, according to Jura Tourisme. People learn their first strides here and train for races too. Just 10 min down the road, Jura 835 is a base camp for 6 to 8 people.

Trails for every level

The area runs 18 cross-country trails: 9 green, 5 blue, 3 red and 1 black. With half of them green, it is ideal ground for beginners and children, while the reds and the black give trained skiers plenty to work on. According to guides, the trails sit between 900 m and 1,260 m, which often keeps a skiable sector when snow runs short lower down.

Three starting points

Jura Tourisme lists three starting points in Foncine-le-Haut: Chez Valentin, Les Arboux, set up as a trapper site, and the village. The village start is the easiest for a first outing. Chez Valentin and Les Arboux lead to the longer forest loops. Park early on sunny days during the holidays, when the car parks fill up.

Snowshoeing

The 17 snowshoe routes start from the same sectors, so a group can split up in the morning and meet at the same car park. Guides count about 60 km of routes. They are waymarked separately from the ski trails: never walk on the groomed tracks.

Hire, lessons and passes

According to Jura Tourisme, Foncine-le-Haut has a ski hire shop and a ski school offering lessons and guiding. For a group, book equipment and lessons before you arrive during school holidays. Access to the trails requires a nordic pass, whose seasonal prices are published before opening by the Espace Nordique Jurassien; each morning, its report lists the groomed trails.

A first day

For a first time, start from the village in mid-morning, once the trails are groomed and the sun is up. An hour on a green loop is enough to find your glide; do it again in the afternoon, more relaxed. Bring a warm flask, spare gloves and a light layer: you warm up fast when skiing, and cool down as soon as you stop.

Part of the wider Haut-Jura network

The area belongs to something larger: the Grande Traversée du Jura passes through Foncine-le-Haut, and in winter its skiers share these tracks. The stage and the loop-based formula have their own page, the GTJ at Foncine. To prepare for the range’s great ski marathon, see also where to stay for the Transjurassienne.

The house as a base camp

Jura 835, 10 min from the first tracks, is let whole to a single group. Skis come inside, boots go by the stove, and waxing happens in the dry, on the long table. On mild days, pick the highest start; on very cold days, a short loop is enough before heading back for lunch.